APS hopes voters will approve 1 percent E-SPLOST referendum May 24

Atlanta Public Schools is hoping that voters will pass an Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST) referendum on the ballot for the May 24 primary election which would provide up to $546 million for the system.

If renewed, the district plans major construction and renovation projects in seven of nine clusters, though no improvement projects for the North Atlanta cluster, which includes all Buckhead schools, were listed in a news release.

The Atlanta district joins the city of Decatur and DeKalb and Fulton county districts on the E-SPLOST referenda.

“To create a true transformation of education in Atlanta, we must do the same for the physical infrastructure of APS with better and safer learning and working facilities for our students and educators,” Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen said.

“But this is more than updating and maintaining buildings. This is about reinvesting in our kids and ensuring they study in environments conducive to learning and achievement,” she added.

The expiring E-SPLOST, approved by Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb voters in 2011, is projected to raise about $442 million for the Atlanta district, resulting in the completion of major renovation projects in 16 schools, significant HVAC system upgrades in 17 facilities, and the outfitting of more than half of the district’s learning sites with wireless capability.

If voters renew the measure, the Atlanta district will continue with its aggressive approach toward upgrading, renovating and maintaining school facilities and systems.